March/April 1997

Number 135

A Publication of The Bioelectromagnetics Society

IN THIS ISSUE...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 Introduction

The recent expansion of telecommunications, and in particular personal telecommunications, has led to a rapid increase in the number of radiotelephone (mobile, cellular phone) base station antennas erected. These are often sited in public areas, sometimes close to homes, business premises and schools. Radiotelephone handsets are small, low power radio transmitters that are held in closed proximity to the head when in use, and some of the power radiated by the antenna is absorbed by the head. It is not surprising, therefore, that public and media concern about the possible health effects of electromagnetic fields has focused on proximity to base stations and on the use of handsets. For the purpose of this report, the term "radiotelephone" is used to denote mobile/cellular phones only.

Whereas a large database exists for possible effects on human health from exposure to extremely low frequency (particularly power frequency) electromagnetic fields, there are fewer data for radiofrequency (including microwave) fields, and very few related to the emissions and exposures specific to personal radiotelephones. A comprehensive assessment of the risk of effects on human health requires such data.

The Expert Group responsible for this report was set up by the European Commission, to make recommendations for a program of scientific research, the results of which could contribute to a health hazard assessment of the use of personal telecommunications.

Definitive answers about health hazards related to the use of radiotelephones are unlikely to come about in the short term. Health hazard assessment is carried out by considering critically all relevant published studies where the strength of the evidence for the existence of an effect and its magnitude is evaluated on the scientific merits of the studies, both individually and collectively. Replication studies are particularly important in this regard. No study or series of studies producing negative results can prove that an effect does not exist. However, an accumulation of well-performed studies producing negative results provides increasing confidence in the absence of a significant adverse health effect.

The research recommendations of the Expert Group are thus directed towards collaborative research which is directly relevant to possible adverse effects on human health, and lends itself to attempted replication by other researchers in relation to the biological model - the biological endpoint examined - and the exposure system and dosimetric techniques used. The recommended studies should, when taken together with other research already being undertaken, provide important data which will contribute towards the health hazard assessment.

The Expert Group recognizes that risk communication is clearly as important in this area of uncertain risk and non-established effects as it is with other aspects of electromagnetic field exposures, e.g., power lines. However, it notes that this should be tackled in a broader context and, also, that it will form an important part of the World Health Organization (WHO) 5-year electromagnetic field research program. Therefore, while noting its importance, no specific recommendations are made in this report.

The Expert Group was also asked to provide recommendations on the management structure of a scientific program; a mechanism for the participation of industry in financing it and in providing facilities and information; and an estimate of the magnitude of the financial resources required for its conduct. These recommendations should be considered and, where appropriate, may be modified in relation to existing administrative/financial arrangements within the European Commission.

The European Commission appointed ten members to the Expert Group. The professional disciplines covered medicine, epidemiology, biology, physics and telecommunication engineering.

The scientific work program of the Expert Group and most of the administration related to it was coordinated by the UK National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB).

The report:

Personal (cellular) telecommunications is a rapidly evolving technology that uses microwave radiation to communicate between a fixed base station and a mobile user. Presently, most systems employ analogue technology, where the low frequency speech signals are directly modulated on to a high frequency carrier in a manner similar to a frequency-modulated (FM) radio. The power level is effectively constant during the modulation, although some power control may occur. However, the recently introduced second generation systems in Europe, USA and Japan employ digital technology, where the low frequency speech is digitally coded prior to modulation. There is a strong trend towards hand-held radiotelephones, which means that the radiating antenna is close to the head of the user. In the relatively near future the use of digital systems will predominate.

 The dominant digital access technique in Europe is Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), which is used in Global Systems for Mobile communications (GSM), Digital European Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), Digital personal Communication Systems (DCS 1800), and Trans European Trunked Radio (TETRA).

 The electric and magnetic fields surrounding a radiotelephone handset near a person’s head are complicated functions of the design and operating characteristics of the handset and its antenna, and the electric and magnetic fields vary considerably from point to point.

 Radiotelephone base stations use relatively low effective radiated powers and produce weak power density levels at the ground. The fact that the radiofrequency fields produced by the base stations at points of public access are less than any national or international radiofrequency exposure standard has apparently not reduced the concerns of many members of the public.

Public concern about the health hazards of electromagnetic fields from radiotelephones has increased. Specifically, there is concern that, as the handsets deployed in the new generation of personal telecommunications systems are brought close to the head, there may be either a thermal insult produced by power deposition in tissue (acute effects) or other (long-term) effects.

A large body of literature exists on the biological effects of radiofrequency and microwave radiation. However, only a few studies have considered exposure specifically from radiotelephones or other radio systems.

Overall, the existing scientific literature encompassing toxicology, epidemiology and other data relevant to health risk assessment, while providing useful information, provides no convincing evidence that the use of radiotelephones, whether analogue or digital, poses a long-term public health hazard. However, in view of the concern about possible biological effects of the microwave radiation used, it is important to assess the existing body of knowledge on microwave radiation-induced biological effects.

Microwave radiation absorption occurs at the molecular, cellular, tissue and whole-body levels. The dominant factor for net energy absorption by an entire organism is related to the dialectic properties of bulk water, which ultimately causes transduction of electromagnetic energy into heat.

For laboratory experiments, exposure to conditions can be classified in three categories: thermal, athermal, and non-thermal. There are no strict boundaries for these different exposure regimens because a number of factor may influence the characteristics of exposure.

Radiofrequency (including microwave) radiation may be regarded for convenience as part of the thermal environment to which humans may be exposed.

There is currently a general consensus in the scientific and standards community that the most significant parameter, in terms of biologically relevant effects of human exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, is the specific energy absorption rate (SAR) in tissue, a quantity properly averaged in time and space and expressed in watts per kilogram (W kg-1). SAR values are of key importance when validating possible health hazards and in setting standards.

Exposure guidelines are intended to limit both whole-body temperature and localized temperature, and are expressed as whole-body SAR and as localized SAR averaged over a small mass of tissue.

Thermal effects are well-established and form the biological basis for restricting exposure to radiofrequency fields. In contrast, non-thermal effects are not well-established and, currently, do not form a scientifically acceptable basis for restricting human exposure to microwave radiation at those frequencies used by hand-held radiotelephones and base stations.

A large number of biological effects have been reported in cell cultures and in animals, often in response to exposure to relatively low-level fields, which are not well established both which may have health implications and are, hence, the subject of on-going research.

 A substantial body of data exists describing biological responses to amplitude-modulated radiofrequency (including microwave) fields at SARs too low to involve any response to heating. It has been suggested that non-equilibrium processes are significant in the bioenergetics of living systems, challenging the traditional approach of equilibrium thermodynamics.

 The concept of an all-or-nothing effect under exposure conditions challenges conventional assumptions that the magnitude of a response increases with increasing exposure. If this could be reliably substantiated, it would add weight to the argument that there are non-thermal mechanisms involved in biological effects of electromagnetic fields.

 Also, reports of ‘electrohypersensitivity’ to exposure to electromagnetic fields exist to a varying extent and form in some countries.

 It is not scientifically possible to guarantee that low levels of microwave radiation which do not cause deleterious effects for relatively short exposures will not cause long-term adverse health effects. However, currently available research findings provide no evidence that such long-term hazards exist. In the context of radiotelephones use, only epidemiological studies could provide such evidence.

The Expert Group agreed that an in-depth treatment of electromagnetic interference effects related to radiotelephones, and a specification of exactly what should be done in relation to these, is not an aim of this report, but rather is a component of the much broader issue of electromagnetic interference which is the responsibility of the electromagnetic interference research and standards community. It is, however, recognized that action in this field is urgently required.

The Expert Group concluded that the main purpose of the dosimetry and exposure components of a research program should be to control exposure parameters in experimental systems with the aim of ensuring the quality and comparability of biological experiments carried out at different laboratories. In formulating their recommendations in this area, the Expert Group recognized the different requirements for in vitro, in vivo and human (volunteer) experiments, and dealt with them separately. The overriding principle is that the biological experiments should use values of parameters close to those existing in a real user situation, be it a handset held close to the head or irradiation from a more distant base station.

 Recent results have been reported on experiments with people using functioning radiotelephones. In such cases there is no need to design an exposure system, but all parameters that are critical in dosimetric terms should be controlled. The way in which the telephones are operated is of major importance (test, or stand-by, or listening modes, normal or worst-case position, side of the head and movements, duration, intermittence, etc.)

 Recommendations for dosimetry and exposure system research

In order to acquire experimental data reliably relevant to possible effects on human health, it is essential to carefully carry out laboratory investigations. Along with the choice of biological models, it is necessary to design appropriate new exposure systems or to improve existing ones. For this purpose, the Expert Group recommends that work on exposure systems should constitute a significant part of the research program, and that physics laboratories work closely with biology laboratories in this respect. This will greatly facilitate control and intercomparison of biological data.

 The Expert Group recommends that dosimetry and exposure system studies should be supported as collaborative projects with the biological research and should be directed towards:

It is not the purpose of this report to provide an in-depth review of the biological effects of electromagnetic fields in relation to human health - several such reviews already exist - but rather to identify and summarize the relevant studies that have been carried out and published, to identify and provide information about on-going studies, and to recommend further areas of research relevant to an assessment of the risk to human health that might arise from the use of radiotelephones.

 In order not to exclude any worthwhile research proposal, the recommendations for biological (and epidemiological) research made by the Expert Group are not specifically prescriptive but rather indicative of the areas of research that should be addressed and prioritized. These, together with recommended criteria for selection of research proposals, should both encourage the submission of proposals from suitably qualified research groups and aid the prioritization and selection of the proposals for funding.

 The Expert Group considered the existing peer-reviewed literature and on-going research in each of the subdisciplines, genetic, cancer, immune system, nervous system, and other effects, focusing mainly on non-thermal effects and particularly on those of relevance to human health and the use of radiotelephones. Only effects that occur within the normal physiological temperature range of the body were addressed.

 Because several hypotheses for the demodulation of amplitude-modulated fields exist, the Expert Group noted that it is important to address basic interaction mechanisms in this research program, albeit with a lower priority.

The Expert Group recommends that the following be considered:

The Expert Group noted that cellular models are becoming more and more popular in toxicology studies, although in vitro experiments lack the most fundamental interactions between body organs and systems. However, many new models and techniques have made in vitro research very informative. They provide insight into cellular and sub-cellular mechanisms underlying the interactions of radiofrequency radiation and biological systems. Within the scope of this research program, these new models and techniques should be used in two complementary directions: towards better designed animal models (promotion, cellular or humoural components, stress, aging, etc.) and towards mechanisms of possible effects (role of extremely low frequency [ELF] modulation, of membrane function and signal transduction, of free radicals, of gap junctions, etc.).

The Expert Group views three categories of electromagnetic interactions as deserving particular attention and recommends further research into the following:

Some of the proposed research topics use sensitive methods which may be able to detect even minor abnormalities; the Expert Group strongly advises that the severity of such abnormalities should be compared with those induced by other known pathologies so that any possible health risks may be evaluated objectively. It is important to consider possible synergism between microwave exposure and other factors.

The Expert Group notes that, as there is no convincing evidence that microwave radiation is directly genotoxic or carcinogenic (under athermal or non-thermal conditions), investigations on genetic and cancer-related effects should be directed particularly towards their possible promotional and co-promotional synergistic properties.

Most in vivo reported in the literature are either not relevant to personal telecommunications emissions or contradictory. Thus, this important biological systems has a poorly-defined database. There seems to be no consistent finding of alteration to the immune system of animals acutely exposed to microwave radiation at moderate power levels (corresponding to SAR values below few W kg-1). Hence, some recommendations can be made for further research, while bearing n mind that effects on the immune system cannot be studied independently for other systems, such as the haematopoietic, nervous and endocrine systems.

Since few long-term exposure studies at low levels have been performed, there is a need for well-designed experiments, linked with cancer promotion studies.

For the evaluation of the effects of microwave exposure, investigations on integrated neuronal function and cochlear function, sleep pattern analysis and neuro-behavioral studies would be appropriate. The effect on electrophysiological function should be carried out not only by recording conventional EEG and evoked potentials - these studies were essentially negative in the past - but also by magnetoencephalography because this method allows much finer spatial and temporal resolution than previous recording techniques. Such studies can be complimented by testing memory acquisition and storage before and after microwave exposure.

For neurohumoural and neurotransmitter interactions, the effect on pineal melatonin secretion requires further investigation. If previous ELF findings could be replicated by continuous or pulsed microwave exposure, such effects would be of considerable importance not only for tumor proliferation but also for alterations of sleep pattern.

Another important health issue is the possibility that incidental pathologies are aggravated by microwave exposure. This issue is already under investigation in regard to tumor proliferation but it should also include other pathological states, such as epilepsy, inflammation or ischaemia. Appropriate experimental models would be reperfusion injury after global ischaemia (for possible interference with free radical reactions), permanent or reversible focal ischaemia (to study complicating inflammatory responses), and kainate-induced kindling (for the investigation of hippocampal seizures).

The effect of microwave exposure on permeability changes of the blood-brain barrier should be addressed and, in particular, whether previously described permeability changes are a direct consequence of microwave exposure or side effects of the experimental procedure, such as immobilization stress or cryptic thermal effects

The Expert Group recommends the following lines of in vivo biological research:

 Nervous system-related studies

The design and construction of handsets leads to energy absorption in those brain and neck tissues near the antenna. Structures such as the vestibulum, cochlea and acoustic nerve, other cranial nerves including vagus, facialis, trigeminus, etc., the meninges, the carotids and salivary glands may possibly be exposed.

 Most animal laboratory projects focus on carcinogenesis, tumor promotion and mutagenic effects. However, potential health effects might also be seen as non-cancer disorders of the above-mentioned structures and physiological investigations and clinical examinations are needed to complement cancer-oriented research.

The Expert Group recommends that laboratory studies on volunteers should be undertaken as follows:

All experiments using volunteers should be ‘double blind’ where appropriate.

Epidemiology research can be used to investigate directly the question whether or not radiotelephone use is a determinant of risk to human health.

Epidemiology studies, unlike most laboratory studies, tent to take several years and to be based on data arising from populations of many thousands or even millions of individuals. Hence, epidemiological studies are not likely to give the ‘first warning’ of any ill-effects of radiotelephones. They need to be initiated, however, so that, in a few years’ time, they can provide the most direct information on whether hazards to people exist.

 The question of adverse health effects is a suitable one for epidemioligical inquiry, particularly because radiotelephones are widely used in the population. Indeed, certain features of their use make it likely that an epidemiological investigation could come to a successful conclusion. The large number of users gives the potential for studies of considerable power, based on hundreds of thousands or even millions of exposed individuals (although not in the near future for large numbers with very long-term exposure). The existence of quantified, recorded and dated data about exposures, from billing records (compared with the far more imprecise data usually available for many other epidemiological exposures, for instance, diet) gives a basis from which exposures can be estimated with some precision (although further data, beyond those from the billing records would be needed to maximize the quality of exposure estimates). The exposure has laterality (users will hold the handset to either the left or right ear), which would be expected to result in laterality of any local effects; again, few other epidemiological exposures have this characteristics.

Having examined the published scientific literature, the Expert Group concludes that there are no published epidemiological studies on cause-specific morbidity or mortality specifically relating to radiotelephone use. There have been studies of health outcomes of radiofrequency radiation exposure in various other circumstances, which provide background information of interest in the context of radiotelephone use, but not direct information on its possible hazards. The Expert Group was able to identify epidemiological studies currently being undertaken on health effects and radiotelephone use.

The Expert Group considers that studies should be inaugurated of risks of certain cancers originating in parts of the head that receive radiation exposures from handsets: namely, tumors of the brain and cerebral meninges; acoustic neuroma; and salivary gland tumors.

Brain cancer is the issue on which public concern has focused in relation to handsets, and although the radiation exposure is low, the brain is one of the sites receiving some irradiation.

Acoustic neuroma and salivary glands cancers, although less common tumors, occur in areas with direct exposure to handsets, with some specific epidemiological characteristics.

Leukemia in adults is considered worth investigation because of the suspected sensitivity of the haemopoietic and animal systems to electromagnetic energy.

The Expert Group considers that epidemiological studies are a crucial component in determining whether radiotelephones cause adverse health effects, and that they should form a significant component of a research program.

 The Expert Group recommends that:

In respect of its recommendations on the management aspects of the research program, the Expert Group recognizes the need for the management structure to harmonize with existing administrative and financial procedures and customs within the European Commission. The recommendations made should therefore be regarded in part, or in whole, as one option, but the final management structure should be consistent with the following principles:

RESEARCH MANAGEMENT TEAM

The Expert Group recommends that a Research Management Team should be responsible for the overall day-to-day administration and technical management of the entire research program. This Research Management Team could be, for example, formed from within existing administrative arrangements within the European Commission. Specific duties of the Research Management Team could include:

RESEARCH FUNDING

A fundamental requirement of the funding mechanism is that industry and other funding bodies should be provided with the opportunity to contribute funding and materials in kind to the research program, but should neither have nor be seen to have, any influence over the choice of research studies funded, the conduct or the outcome of such studies, or the publication of the results.

 The Expert Group recommends that funding for the research program should be sought from the personal telecommunications industry and other interested parties. Contributions should be used for the sole purpose of funding the scientific research program and its management. Public acknowledgment of individual contributions for funding and materials in kind should be by the mutual agreement of the funding body and the European Commission. All donations or loans of materials in kind should be arranged through the program management and not given directly to the research teams. A contribution to the funding or of materials in kind should confer no rights to the contributor other acknowledgment(s) of the contribution made (where agreed) and information about the progress of the study.

 The allocation of funds to specific research projects should be decided according to the recommendations for research funding of the Proposals Assessment Panel and without consultation with industry or other funding bodies unless required by the Commission.

 Legally binding contracts covering the research should be between the European Commission and each of the research teams undertaking the research. Sub- and/or cross-contractual arrangements may be made in respect of collaborative research between two or more research teams.

 The estimated total cost of the research program is 24 MECU.

CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS

It is envisaged that the timescale of the biophysical and biological research program will e 4 years, with individual research studies of duration between 1 and 4 years. By necessity, the epidemiological (cohort) program may extend beyond this period and further funding may be necessary. It is important, therefore, that there is flexibility so that studies can be phased in as the program develops. For example, it may be appropriate to identify further projects in the mid-to-latter part of the program to clarify the results of studies completed in the early part of the program.

 The Expert Group recommends that calls for specific research proposals based on the recommendations of the Expert Group should be published. A first call for research proposals should invite applications for proformas. Interested research teams should complete these proformas providing, as appropriate, details of their proposed research, the facilities afforded by their laboratory, the qualifications and experience of the researchers, and details of the funding required for the research. Proposals should be assessed by the Proposals Assessment Panel, who should recommend which research studies should be supported. The Proposals Assessment Panel should also indicate where collaborative projects appear either necessary or desirable.

PROPOSALS ASSESSMENT PANEL

The Expert Group recommends the appointment of a Proposals Assessment Panel comprising ad hoc appointed experts in the fields of scientific/technical expertise required for the assessment of specific studies in respect of potential funding within the scientific program. The Research Management Team should act as the Secretariat for the Proposals Assessment Panel and should make all administrative and other arrangements necessary for it to carry out its function. It is recommended that specific tasks of the Proposals Assessment Panel should include:

RESEARCH PROPOSALS SELECTION CRITERIA

The Expert Group notes the importance of providing guidance on assessing proposals for research. It therefore recommends the following criteria.

 Dosimetry and exposure systems studies

• address issues relevant to human health
• set out to investigate exposure-response relationships
• allow differentiation between continuous wave (cw) and amplitude-modulated effects
• allow differentiation between thermal and non-thermal microwave effects
• characterize the experimental conditions such that comparison can be made with radiotelephones
• employ appropriate negative and positive controls

The Expert Group considers that the following criteria are desirable and should be applied when selecting studies for funding. It is recognized that not all may be practical in any particular circumstances and judgment will be needed on whether sufficient are met to make a study worthwhile. It is suggested, however, that applicants should state the extent to which their proposals meet the criteria, via:

• complete follow-up for cause-specific mortality and preferably also for site-specific cancer incidence
• data on changes of exposure over time for the full period of follow-up to be analyzed
• comparison of cancer incidence in the cohort with that in a non-exposed cohort or from the appropriate general population (from population based cancer registration)

RESEARCH MONITORING PANEL

The Expert Group recommends the appointment of a Research Monitoring Panel consisting of ad hoc appointed experts in the fields of scientific/technical expertise required for monitoring the progress of specific studies. It is recommended that the Research Management Team should act as the Secretariat for the Research Monitoring Panel and should make all administrative and other arrangements necessary for it to carry out its functions.

The Expert Group recommends that the functions of the Research Monitoring Panel should include:

INFORMATION CHANNELS

The Expert Group recognizes the importance of good communication among all of the stakeholders in the research program. It therefore recommends that the Research Management Team should be responsible for communications and dissemination of information between the funding agencies, the European Commission, the research teams, the broader scientific community, the media and the general public. The Research Management Team should prepare a report of overall research progress with a recommended frequency of twice per year. Annual open meetings could provide the opportunity for the Commission and the funding bodies to learn progress and to provide feedback.

It is recommended that a scientific research newsletter and, if possible, Internet homepage should be available to the public and to all interested parties. The newsletter and Internet homepage should be prepared and updated regularly by the Research Management Team. For completed research studies, statements, written for non-scientists, should be published in the newsletter (and on the Internet homepage), summarizing their key findings.

PUBLICATION OF RESULTS

It is the recommendation of the Expert Group that the results of all research should be placed in the public arena without undue impediment. It is, however, recognized that, in the interest of sustaining a consistent high standard and quality of presentations for the entire research program, some editorial control may be necessary. It is, therefore, recommended that draft reports of all studies or intended presentations at scientific and other meetings should be subject to comment by the Research Monitoring Panel. However, it is emphasized that their final content and presentation should rest with the authors of the studies’ report. Results of biological research of an interim or preliminary nature should not be presented at public or scientific meetings without the prior approval of the Research Monitoring Panel. The results of the scientific research must be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

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 Dr. A. F. McKinlay, Chairman and Editor
National Radiological Protection Board, United Kingdom

Professor J. B. Andersen, Center for Personkommuinikation, Aalborg University, Denmark.

Professor J. H. Bernhardt, Bundesamt fur Strahlenschutz, Institut fur Strahlenhygiene, Germany.

Professor M. Grandolfo, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Italy.

Professor K-A Hossmann, Max-Plank-Institut fur Neurologische Forschung, Germany.

Dr. F. E. van Leeuwen, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, The Netherlands.

Dr. K. H. Mild, National Institute for Working Life, Sweden.

Dr. A. J. Swerdlow, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.

Dr. L. Verschaeve, Aiaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek, Belgium.

Dr. B. Veryet, Universite de Bordeaux, France.

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Dr. W. Ross Adey resigned from the Pettis Memorial Veterans Administration Medical Center in Loma Linda, CA on May 2, 1997. Dr. Adey was the Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development.

Dr. Birgitta Floderus has moved from the National Institute for Working Life to the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

Dr. A. William Guy resigned in May from Wireless Technology Research (WTR). Dr. Guy has been one of three members of WTR since its founding.

Drs. Chung-Yi Li of Fu-Jen Catholic University in Taipei, Taiwan , Gilles Theriault of McGill University in Montreal, Canada and Ruey Lin of National Taiwan University in Taipei reported a significant increase in adult leukemia in Taiwan associated with high exposures to EMFs. Epidemiology, 1997, vol 8, pp. 25-30.

Drs. Tore Tynes and Tor Haldorsen reported no association between EMF exposure and childhood leukemia in a study calculating historical exposure in Oslo, Norway. American Journal of Epidemiology, 1997, vol 145, pp. 219-226.

A study of brain cancer in 112 workers diagnosed between 1972 and 1991 failed to show an association between EMF exposure and brain cancer. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 1997, vol 54, pp. 7-13.

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September 15-17: Genetic Toxicology of Non Ionizing Radiations: Genetic- and Epigenetic Effects, Carcinogenesis, Developmental Effects, etc., Holiday Inn Crown Plaza, Bruges, Belgium. Organized by the Belgian Environmental Mutagen Society and VITO (Flemish Institute for Technological Research); see Newsletter 132. Contact: Dr. Luc Verschaeve, VITO, Environment Division, Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium. (Tel: +32 14 33.52.17; Fax: +32 14 32.03.72; e-mail: verschal@vitoosfl.vito.be)

September 16-17: Second Annual Industry Meeting: Mobile Phones - Is There a Health Risk? The Swissotel, Brussels, Belgium. Contact Sarah Ellis or Caroline Bishop, IBC Technical Services Ltd., Gilmoora House, 57-61 Mortimer Street, London W1N 8JX, UK. (Tel: +44 (0) 171 453 2700 or +44 (0) 171 637 4383, Fax: +44 (0) 171 636 1976 or +44 (0) 171 631 3214, e-mail: sarah.ellis@ibcuk.co.uk).

September 28-29: First International Conference on Ethical Issues in Biomedical Engineering. Clemson University, Clemson, SC. Contact Subrata Saha, Bioengineering Alliance of South Carolina, 313 Rhodes Research Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0906. (Tel: 864-656-7603, Fax: 864-656-4466, e-mail: subrata.saha@ces.elemson.edu).

October 15-19: Society for Physical Regulation in Biology and Medicine. Monterey, CA. Contact Fred R. Nelson, 7910 Frost Street, Suite 202, San Diego, DA 92123. (Fax: 619-278-1708, e-mail: nelson@bjc.hfh.edu).

October 16-19: Life Sciences ‘97 and 2nd Slovenian-Croatian Meeting on Molecular Oncology Today. Gozd Martuljek, Hotel Spik, Slovenia. Organized by the Slovenian Biophysical Society and Institute of Oncology, Ljbljana. Contact Gregor Sersa, Institute of Oncology, Department of Tumor Biology, Zaloska 2, SI-1105 Ljubljana, Slovenia. (Tel: +386-61, 133 74 10 or 323-063, ext. 29 33; Fax: +386-61, 131-41-80; e-mail: gsersa@mail.onko-i.si)

October 26-29: The International Association for Biologically Closed Electric Circuits in Biomedicine (IABC). Raddison Hotel South, Minneapolis, MN. Contact: Dr. George O’Clock, Jr., Symposium President, Professor of Electrical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, Mankato State University, PO Box 8400, MSU Box 215. (Tel: 507-389-1410, Fax: 507-389-1095, e-mail: george_oclock@msl.mankato.msus.edu).

October 30 - November 2: 19th Annual International Conference IEEE/EMB Society. Chicago Marriott Downtown, Chicago, Illinois. Contact Conference Secretariat, Meeting Management, 2603 Main Street, Suite 690, Irvine, CA 92714, USA. (Tel: +1-714-752-8205; Fax: +1-714-752-7444; e-mail: MeetiingMgt@aol.com, and embs97@ieee.org).

November 3-5: International Scientific Meeting on Electromagnetics in Medicine. Congress Hotel, Chicago, Illinois. Contact EM-Med, M/C 154, University of Illinois at Chicago, 851 South Morgan Street, Chicago, IL 60607-7053. (Fax: 312-413-0024, e-mail: emmed@eecs.uic.edu).

November 9-13: The 1997 Annual Review of Research on Biological Effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields From the Generation, Delivery & Use of Electricity. Holiday Inn on the Bay, San Diego, CA. Contact W/L Associates, Ltd., 7519 Ridge Road, Frederick, MD. (Tel: 301-663-1915, Fax: 301-371-8955, e-mail: 75230.1222@compuserve.com).

November 14-16: Magnetic Fields: Recent Advances in Diagnosis and Therapy. London Convention Centre, London, Ontario, Canada. Contact C. Liana Heaney, Coordinator - Research Operations, The Lawson Research Institute, Rm H410, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A4V2. (Tel: 519-646-6100 ext. 4530, Fax: 519-646-6110, e-mail: lianah@stj.stjosephs.london.on.ca).

December 2-5: 1997 Asia-Pacific Microwave Conference. City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PRC. Contact: Prof. K. K. Mei, Telecommunications Research Centre, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong. (Fax: 852-2778-1711 or 852-2788-7189, e-mail: eekkmei@cityu.edu.hk).

1998: Second International Conference on Bioelectromagnetism, Sheraton Towers Hotel, Melbourne, Australia. Contact: Dr. Irena Cosic, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia. (Tel: +61-3-9905-1340, Fax: +61-3-9903-2906 or +61-3-9903-1516, e-mail:cosic@eng.monash.edu.au). http://www.monash.edu.au/oce/lcbem.htm

February 8-11, 1998. 31st Midyear Topical Meeting of the Health Physics Society, Mobile, AL. Theme: Good Practices in Health Physics. Contact: Richard J. Burk, Jr., Health Physics Society, 1313 Dolly Madison Blvd., McLean, VA 22101. (Tel. 703-790-1745, Fax. 703-790-2672, e-mail: hpsburkmgt@aol.com).

May 23-29, 1998: Fourteenth International Symposium on Bioelectrochemistry and Bioenergetics. Vingstedcentret, Denmark. Contact S. Kwee, Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Aarhus, Building 170, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. (Tel: +45 8942 2869, Fax: +45 8613 1160, e-mail: bes98@biokemi.aau.dk, Website: http://www.health.aau.dk/conf/bes98.htm).

July 12-16, 1998. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Health Physics Society, Minneapolis, MN. Contact: Richard J. Burk, Jr., Health Physics Society, 1313 Dolly Madison Blvd., McLean, VA 22101. (Tel. 703-790-1745, Fax. 703-790-2672, e-mail: hpsburkmgt@aol.com).

September 14-18, 1998. International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy. Contact Daniela Floramonti, EMC ‘98 Roma, AEI- Ufficio Centrale, Piazzale R. Morandi 2, 20121, Milano, Italy. (Tel: +39 2 77790.1, Fax: +39 2 79 88 17, e-mail: conferencesaei@aei.it).

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The BIOELECTROMAGNETICS Society Newsletter is published and distributed to all members of the Society.  Information regarding the Society may be obtained by writing to BEMS, 7519 Ridge Road, Frederick, MD 21702-3519.  Institutions and libraries may subscribe to the Newsletter at an annual cost of $58.50 ($67.50 for overseas subscribers).  The Newsletter serves the membership and subscribers in part as a forum for the presentation of ideas and issues related to bioelectromagnetics research. All submissions to the Newsletter must be signed and reflect the individual views of the authors and not official points of view of the Society or of the institutions with which the authors are affiliated. The Society solicits contributions to the Newsletter from its members and others in the scientific and engineering communities.  News items as well as short research notes and book reviews are welcome. Advertisements inserted and distributed with the Newsletter are not to be considered endorsements.

Submit items for consideration to: M. E. O'Connor, University of Tulsa, Psychology Department, 600 S College, Tulsa, OK 74104-3189.  (Tel: 918-631-2838; Fax: 918-631-2833; Email: OCONNORME@centum.utulsa.edu)

M. E. O'Connor, Editor

For Newsletter items, contact the Editor.

For other Society business, contact: The Bioelectromagnetics Society, 7519 Ridge Road, Frederick, MD 21702-3519.  Tel. 301-663-4252; Fax 301-371-8955; Email: 75230.1222@compuserve.com.

BEMS Homepage:
http://www.bioelectromagnetics.org/index.html

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